Wear, tear visible at Slipknot show

Bob Gendron, Special to the TribuneCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Despite receiving limited mainstream exposure, Slipknot has evolved into a platinum-selling act via word-of-mouth recommendations and its reputation as manic performers. Friday night in front of 8,000 people at Allstate Arena, the wear and tear of relentless touring finally caught up with the masked nu-metal nonet, which until the last third of a 95-minute show lacked its characteristic energy and impromptu craziness.

Admittedly feeling under the weather, vocalist Corey Taylor sounded hoarse and scratchy. Three days removed from awkwardly landing on his leg, percussionist Chris Fehn limped around on crutches.

But then the Iowa band got back to basics with Shawn Crahan leading the assault, bashing an aluminum bat against a steel keg on "Duality' and body-surfing atop an array of percussive instruments during the teeth-gnashing "The Heretic Anthem."